Nauset Beach Light
Why it's listed
Nauset Beach Light is a lighthouse station on a bluff 66 feet above the Atlantic in Eastham, Cape Cod. Its cylindrical cast iron tower dates to 1877 and was moved to Eastham from Chatham in 1923, where it had a twin. It is the third structure to mark the site, since erosion of the bluffs claimed earlier towers. The station once displayed a triple light that worked together with the twin light at Chatham and the single light at Highland in Truro. Nearby are an 1892 brick oil house with a cupola and an 1875 wood frame keeper's house in the Gothic Revival style, which was moved back and altered in the twentieth century. The original Fresnel lens is now displayed at the Salt Pond Visitor Center. The station was listed for its integrity and for its link to the development of navigation aids in Massachusetts, as a good example of a late nineteenth century light station, meeting criteria A and C at the state level.
Significance in brief: The nomination cites its integrity of design, setting, materials and workmanship, and its association with the development of aids to navigation in Massachusetts. With its oil house and keeper's house, it is described as a good example of a late nineteenth century light station on an earlier site. It is rated significant at the state level under criteria A and C.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 87001484, listed June 15, 1987. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Nauset Beach, Eastham |
|---|---|
| County | Barnstable County |
| Listed | June 15, 1987 |
| Reference number | 87001484 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Architectural style | Cast iron cylindrical tower; Gothic Revival keeper's house |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Engineering, Transportation, Architecture, Maritime History |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as unmanned and active; the tower is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 41.85419, -69.95116 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 87001484.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6981401
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.